Liquid crystal device and electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the invention provide a transflective liquid crystal display device that prevents display failure, such as an afterimage and unevenness like stains, and achieves a bright display with a wide viewing angle in both transmissive display and reflective display. The liquid crystal display device of the invention is a vertically-aligned transflective liquid crystal display device having a multigap structure. Each pixel can include, in a dot region, a plurality of islands, and connecting portions for electrically connecting the adjoining islands. Two islands, of the islands, can be disposed in a transmissive display region, and the remaining island is disposed in a reflective display region. A boundary sloping area in which the thickness of a liquid crystal layer continuously changes is disposed right below the connecting portion in the pixel electrode.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/502,356 filed Aug. 11,2006, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/889,250 filedJul. 13, 2004. This application claims the benefit of Japanese PatentApplication No. 2003-282775, filed Jul. 30, 2003. The entire disclosuresof the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and anelectronic apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

Some related art transflective liquid crystal display devices utilizeexternal light in bright places, in a manner similar to that inreflective liquid crystal display devices, and make the display visiblewith a backlight in dark places, in a manner similar to that intransmissive liquid crystal display devices. Such related arttransflective liquid crystal display devices include a liquid crystallayer disposed between an upper substrate and a lower substrate, and areflective film formed of a metal film made of aluminum or the likehaving a light-transmitting window provided on the inner side of thelower substrate. The reflective film functions as a semi-transmissivereflector. In this case, in a reflection mode, external light incidentfrom the upper substrate passes through the liquid crystal layer, isreflected by the reflective film on the inner side of the lowersubstrate, passes through the liquid crystal layer again, and is emittedfrom the upper substrate to contribute to display. In contrast, in atransmission mode, light from a backlight incident from the lowersubstrate passes through the liquid crystal layer from the window of thereflective film, and is emitted outside from the upper substrate tocontribute to display. Therefore, a part of the reflective film in whichthe window is provided serves as a transmissive display region, and theother part serves as a reflective display region.

In the related art transflective liquid crystal display devices,however, the viewing angle for transmissive display is narrow. This isbecause reflective display must be performed with one polarizer providedon the side of an observer because of the semi-transmissive reflector onthe inner side of the liquid crystal cell so that parallax is notcaused, and the flexibility of optical design is therefore low. In orderto overcome this problem, Jisaki et al. proposed a new liquid crystaldisplay device using homeotropic liquid crystal in “Development oftransflective LCD for high contrast and wide viewing angle by usinghomeotropic alignment”, M. Jisaki et al., Asia Display/IDW '01, pp.133-136 (2001) and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 2002-350853. The liquid crystal display device has the followingthree features:

(1) A “VA (Vertical Alignment) mode” in which liquid crystal having anegative dielectric anisotropy is aligned perpendicular to thesubstrates, and is tilted by the application of a voltage;

(2) A “multigap structure” in which the thickness of a liquid crystallayer (cell gap) is different between a transmissive display region anda reflective display region (as for this structure, see, for example,Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-242226); and

(3) A structure in which the transmissive display region is shaped likea regular octagon, and a protrusion is provided at the center of thetransmissive display region on a counter substrate so that the liquidcrystal can tilt in all directions in the region, that is, a“multi-domain structure”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The multigap structure described above is effective in ensuring the sameelectrooptic characteristics (a transmittance-voltage characteristic anda reflectance-voltage characteristic) in the transmissive display regionand the reflective display region. This is because light passes throughthe liquid crystal layer only once in the transmissive display region,while it passes therethrough twice in the reflective display region.

The multi-domain method adopted by Jisaki et al. is a method utilizingthe protrusion and a slope defined by the multigap. However, this methodhas two serious problems. One problem is a weak alignment control forceof the slope in the multigap. In a sloping area in the multigap, liquidcrystal molecules are aligned in an oblique direction perpendicular tothe inclination of the sloping area, and an electric field is alsoapplied thereto in the direction perpendicular to the inclination.Therefore, a force for tilting the liquid crystal molecules in onedirection is reduced. When the distance between the protrusion providedat the center of the transmissive display region and the sloping area inthe multigap exceeds a predetermined value, the liquid crystal moleculesare not tilted in a predetermined direction when a voltage is applied.Therefore, the transmissive display region must be shaped like asufficiently small octagon, and the aperture ratio decreases. The otherproblem is that the tilting direction of liquid crystal in thereflective display region is not controlled sufficiently. Disorderlytilting of the liquid crystal causes disclination on the boundarybetween different liquid crystal alignment regions, which results in anafterimage and the like. Moreover, since the liquid crystal alignmentregions have different viewing-angle characteristics, when the liquidcrystal display device is viewed from an oblique direction, unevennesslike stains appears.

An object of the invention is to provide a transflective liquid crystaldisplay device that can prevent display failure, such as an afterimageand unevenness like stains, in both transmissive display and reflectivedisplay, and that achieves a bright display with a wide viewing angle.

The invention can provide a liquid crystal display device including apair of substrates each having an electrode on one side, and a liquidcrystal layer disposed between the substrates with the electrodestherebetween, the substrates and the liquid crystal layer defining dotregions. Each of the dot regions includes a transmissive display regionfor transmissive display and a reflective display region for reflectivedisplay. The liquid crystal layer contains liquid crystal that isinitially aligned in the vertical direction, and the thickness thereofdiffers between the transmissive display region and the reflectivedisplay region. At least one of the electrodes of the substrates caninclude, in the dot region, a plurality of islands and a connectingportion for electrically connecting the adjoining islands, the islandsinclude an integral number of island disposed in each of thetransmissive display region and the reflective display region, andwherein a boundary sloping area provided on the inner sides of thesubstrates to make the thickness of the liquid crystal layer differentbetween the transmissive display region and the reflective displayregion is disposed right below the connecting portion of the electrode.

That is, the liquid crystal display device of the invention is avertically-aligned transflective liquid crystal display device having amultigap structure, and an electrode in a dot region includes aplurality of islands and a connecting portion for electricallyconnecting the islands.

In such a structure in which the electrode in the dot region includes aplurality of islands, the tilting direction of homeotropic liquidcrystal is pointed toward the centers of the islands by oblique electricfields generated at the edges of the islands by the application of avoltage. As a result, liquid crystal domains in a radially aligned stateare formed in the planar regions of the islands. A plurality of liquidcrystal domains in such a radially aligned state provided in a dotregion ensure a uniform viewing-angle characteristic in all directions.Moreover, since the boundaries between the liquid crystal domains arefixed at the boundaries between the adjoining islands, unevenness likestains does not appear when the panel is obliquely viewed, and superiordisplay is possible.

Since an integral number of islands are disposed in each of thereflective display region and the transmissive display region in theinvention, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is uniform in theislands disposed in each region, and a high-quality display in which theliquid crystal alignment state is properly controlled can be ensured inboth reflective display and transmissive display.

Since the boundary sloping area (multigap sloping area) provided in thedot region to make the thickness of the liquid crystal layer differentin the reflective display region and the transmissive display region isdisposed right below the connecting portion for electrically connectingthe adjoining islands, the display quality can be effectively preventedfrom being reduced by the multigap structure. More specifically, sinceliquid crystal molecules are aligned along the inclination of theboundary sloping area, if the boundary sloping area has an electrode, anoblique electric field is generated when a voltage is applied, and maydisturb the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules. Accordingly, theabove configuration of the invention can minimize the electrode in theboundary sloping area, and effectively prevents the display quality frombeing reduced by the boundary sloping area.

In this way, the liquid crystal display device of the invention makes itpossible to achieve a high-contrast display with a wide viewing angle inboth reflective display and transmissive display, and a high-qualitydisplay that does not cause unevenness like stains or the like when thepanel is obliquely viewed.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, the islands mayhave almost the same planar shape in the reflective display region andthe transmissive display region. Since this allows the liquid crystaldomains provided in the dot region to have the same shape and the samesize in both the reflective display region and the transmissive displayregion, the viewing-angle characteristic is uniform in reflectivedisplay and transmissive display, and a display with a uniformviewing-angle characteristic can be performed, regardless of a displaymode.

In the liquid crystal display device, preferably, alignment controldevices are provided in the planar regions of the islands to control thealignment state of the liquid crystal when a voltage is applied. Thismakes it possible to more properly control the alignment state of theliquid crystal in the planar regions of the islands (that is, in thedisplay regions) by the alignment control effect of the oblique electricfields generated at the edges of the islands and by the alignmentcontrol effect of the above alignment control means. Even when theplanar areas of the islands are made relatively large, alignment israrely disturbed, and superior display is possible.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, preferably, thealignment control devices can be provided at almost the centers of theplanar regions of the islands. In this case, the liquid crystal can bealigned radially and symmetrically with respect to the centers of theislands in the liquid crystal domains provided corresponding to theislands, and the viewing-angle characteristic of the liquid crystaldisplay device can be made symmetric with respect to the front of thepanel (in the direction of the normal to the substrates).

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, the alignmentcontrol devices can be provided corresponding to the islands in the dotregion, and an alignment control means corresponding to an islanddisposed in the reflective display region has a planar area smaller thanthat of an alignment control means disposed in the transmissive displayregion.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention having themultigap structure, in the reflective display region in which thethickness of the liquid crystal layer is relatively small, the alignmentcontrol effect of an oblique electric field at the edge of the islandand the alignment control device is stronger than in the transmissivedisplay region in which the thickness of the liquid crystal layer islarge. Accordingly, by setting the planar area of the alignment controldevice in the reflective display region to be smaller than that of thealignment control device in the transmissive display region, and usingthe difference in the alignment control effect due to the thickness ofthe liquid crystal layer, an alignment control effect similar to that inthe transmissive display region is obtained, and the aperture ratio isincreased by reducing the planar area or the like. Consequently, thebrightness can be increased without reducing the reflective displaycontrast and the like.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, the alignmentcontrol device may be apertures provided in an electrode opposing theislands with the liquid crystal layer therebetween, or protrusions madeof an insulating material and provided on the electrode. In the liquidcrystal display device of the invention, these apertures or protrusionscan be used as the alignment control device. Whether the apertures orthe protrusions are used, the tilting direction of the homeotropicliquid crystal when a voltage is applied can be controlled properly.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, preferably, theislands are shaped like a circle or a regular polygon in plan view. Inthe invention, the islands are provided so that the liquid crystal isradially oriented in the planar regions thereof by oblique electricfields generated at the edges. The above shape makes it possible toeasily form liquid crystal domains in the radially oriented state. Inorder to make the viewing-angle characteristic uniform, it is preferablethat the islands be rotationally symmetric with respect to the planarcenters thereof, and have a planar shape like a circle or a regularpolygon.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, preferably, theplanar shape of portions of the electrode at connections between theislands and the connecting portion is tapered from the islands towardthe connecting portion. Since liquid crystal molecules are therebyoriented at the connections from both sides of the connecting portion,even when disclination occurs near the connections, it can beconcentrated toward the connecting portion. Consequently, a reduction indisplay quality due to such disclination is minimized, and superiordisplay is possible.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, preferably, theconnecting portion extends from corners or outwardly projecting edges ofthe islands in plan view. This can substantially increase the margin ofalignment error of the substrates holding the liquid crystal layertherebetween. For example, in a case in which an electrode havingislands and a connecting portion is provided on one of the substrates,and a boundary sloping area in the multigap structure is provided on theother substrate, the substrates are aligned so that the connectingportion is disposed above the boundary sloping area. When the boundarysloping area overlaps with an island due to the alignment error of thesubstrates, the display contrast is reduced by the influence of theboundary sloping area. Since the above structure can reduce theoverlapping portion between the island and the boundary sloping area,the reduction in the display quality due to the alignment error can beminimized.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, a reflective filmmay be provided in a portion of the dot region including the reflectivedisplay region, and the reflective film may cover the dot region exceptfor the transmissive display region. This allows the reflective filmprovided outside the reflective display region to function as ashielding film. Consequently, leakage of light outside the transmissivedisplay region can be effectively blocked, and the transmissive displaycontrast can be enhanced.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, preferably, thereflective film covers the dot region except for the planar region of anisland disposed in the transmissive display region. In this case, theconnecting portion for connecting the island is also shielded by thereflective film. In particular, by providing the reflective film at theconnecting portion disposed above the boundary sloping area, lightleakage from the boundary sloping area in which the alignment of theliquid crystal is apt to be disturbed can be prevented, and the contrastcan be enhanced.

The liquid crystal display device of the invention can further include aplurality of color filters of different colors corresponding to the dotregions, and two of the color filters may overlap with each other ineach of the dot regions except for the islands. In this case, since thetransmittance of a non-display region in the dot region is reduced, andthe non-display region can function as a shielding means by stacking thecolor filters, light leakage from the non-display region is reduced, andthe transmissive display contrast is enhanced. When the reflective filmextends to the region except for the transmissive display region, lightreflected by such a reflective film can be prevented from returning tothe incident side, and therefore, the reflective display contrast can beenhanced.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, a color filtercan be provided on a side of at least one of the substrates, the sidebeing close to the liquid crystal layer, and has an opening in a planarregion of an island disposed in the reflective display region, and theopening is provided two-dimensionally apart from the boundary slopingarea and the periphery of the island. By forming the opening in thecolor filter in the reflective display region, the luminance of thereflective display can be increased, the chromaticities in thereflective display and the transmissive display can be balanced well,and high-luminance, high-quality color display is possible. Since theopening in the reflective display region is apart from the edge of theisland and the boundary sloping area, even when the alignment isdisturbed at the edge of the islands and the boundary sloping area, thedisturbance is not visibly recognized by the user because thereflectance of the regions is made low by the color filter.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, the islanddisposed in the reflective display region may have a planar area largerthan that of the island disposed in the transmissive display region. Asdescribed above, in the liquid crystal display device of the inventionhaving the multigap structure, the alignment control effect of the edgeof the island in the reflective display region is greater than thealignment control effect in the transmissive display region. Therefore,even when the island in the reflective display region is larger than theisland in the transmissive display region, a similar alignment controleffect can be obtained. Consequently, when the luminance balance betweenthe reflective display and the transmissive display is adjustedaccording to the application, it can be adjusted by the planar areas ofthe islands in both the regions.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, a signal line forsupplying an electric signal to the electrode in the dot region extendsalong the edge of the dot region, and the island disposed in thetransmissive display region is disposed more apart from the signal linein plan view than the island disposed in the reflective display region.

Near the signal line, an unnecessary oblique electric field is sometimesgenerated because of the potential, and may disturb the alignment of theliquid crystal. For this reason, it is preferable that the signal linebe disposed at a certain distance from the islands. However, when thedistance therebetween increases, the aperture ratio of the dot regiondecreases. Accordingly, in the transmissive display region in which thealignment control force at the edge of the island is weaker and theinfluence of the electric field at the signal line is greater than inthe reflective display region, the island and the signal line aredisposed at a greater distance from each other. Consequently, thedistance between the signal line and the island can be optimized in boththe reflective display region and the transmissive display region, andthe optimal aperture ratio can be ensured in both the reflective displayregion and the transmissive display region while preventing the displayquality from being reduced by the disturbance of the alignment due tothe oblique electric field generated near the signal line.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, a two-terminalnonlinear element electrically connected to the signal line and theelectrode is provided corresponding to the dot region on a surface faceof one of the substrates, the surface being close to the liquid crystallayer, and the signal line is provided along the short side of the dotregion.

In a liquid crystal display device using the two-terminal nonlinearelement as a switching element, the signal line is provided in only onedirection on one of the substrates. By providing the signal line alongthe short side of the dot region, an area on which an oblique electricfield generated by the potential of the signal line acts is made smallwith respect to the dot region. Consequently, even when the signal lineand the island are disposed at a greater distance from each other toprevent the influence of the electric field at the signal line than inthe case in which the signal line is provided along the long side of thedot region, the reduction in the aperture ratio of the entire dot regionis limited, and a bright display can be obtained in both thetransmissive display and the reflective display.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, a switchingelement may be electrically connected to the electrode including theislands and the connecting portion, and the reflective film may extendto the switching element. In this case, even when the alignment of theliquid crystal is disturbed near the switching element because of theelectric field, the reflective film functions as a shielding device, andcan prevent light leakage. This allows a high-contrast display.

In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, preferably, alight-scattering device for scattering reflected light is provided onthe liquid-crystal-layer side of the substrate having the reflectivefilm, and the light scattering device is provided in the planar regionof the island disposed in the reflective display region. In thisstructure, a bright reflective display is possible, unnecessary lightreflected by the non-display region can be prevented from reaching theuser, and the visibility can be enhanced.

In order to overcome the above problems, the invention also provides aliquid crystal display device including a pair of substrates each havingan electrode on one side, and a liquid crystal layer disposed betweenthe substrates with the electrodes therebetween, the substrates and theliquid crystal layer defining dot regions, wherein each of the dotregions includes a transmissive display region for transmissive displayand a reflective display region for reflective display, wherein theliquid crystal layer contains liquid crystal that is initially alignedin the vertical direction, and the thickness thereof differs between thetransmissive display region and the reflective display region. At leastone of the electrodes of the substrates includes, in the dot region, aplurality of islands and a connecting portion for electricallyconnecting the adjoining islands, the islands include an integral numberof island disposed in each of the transmissive display region and thereflective display region, and an island disposed in the reflectivedisplay region has a planar area larger than an island disposed in thetransmissive display region.

The liquid crystal display device having this configuration is also avertically-aligned transflective liquid crystal display device having amultigap structure, and an electrode in a dot region includes aplurality of islands and a connecting portion for electricallyconnecting the islands, in a manner similar to that in theabove-described liquid crystal display device. In such a structure inwhich the electrode in the dot region includes a plurality of islands,the tilting direction of homeotropic liquid crystal can be pointedtoward the centers of the islands by oblique electric fields generatedat the edges of the islands by the application of a voltage. As aresult, a plurality of liquid crystal domains in a radially alignedstate are formed in the planar regions of the islands. A uniformviewing-angle characteristic can be obtained in all directions becauseof the liquid crystal domains. Moreover, since the boundary between theliquid crystal domains is fixed at the boundary between the adjoiningislands, unevenness like stains does not appear when the panel isobliquely viewed, and superior display is possible.

In this case, the island disposed in the reflective display region istwo-dimensionally larger than the island disposed in the transmissivedisplay region. Since the thickness of the liquid crystal layer issmaller in the reflective display region than in the transmissivedisplay region of the dot region in the multigap structure, an alignmentcontrol force of an oblique electric field generated at the edge of theisland is strong, and can control the alignment of liquid crystalmolecules in a wider region than in the transmissive display region.Accordingly, in this case, the aperture ratio of the reflective displayregion is increased by making the island in the reflective displayregion larger than the island in the transmissive display region,thereby achieving a bright reflective display. While the luminancebalance between the transmissive display and the reflective display issometimes changed depending on the characteristics of an electronicapparatus or the like, in which the liquid crystal display device ismounted, in the transflective liquid crystal display device, it can beadjusted by thus enlarging the island in the reflective display region.

Therefore, this can provide a liquid crystal display device which canperform a high-contrast display in both the reflective display and thetransmissive display without causing unevenness like stains and imagesticking, and which is easily and widely applicable.

The invention can further provide a liquid crystal display deviceincluding a pair of substrates each having an electrode on one side, anda liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates with theelectrodes therebetween, the substrates and the liquid crystal layerdefining dot regions. Each of the dot regions includes a transmissivedisplay region for transmissive display and a reflective display regionfor reflective display. The liquid crystal layer contains liquid crystalthat is initially aligned in the vertical direction, and the thicknessthereof differs between the transmissive display region and thereflective display region. At least one of the electrodes of thesubstrates includes, in the dot region, a plurality of islands and aconnecting portion for electrically connecting the adjoining islands.The islands include an integral number of island disposed in each of thetransmissive display region and the reflective display region, andwherein the electrode includes, in the planar regions of the islands,alignment control means for controlling the alignment state of theliquid crystal when an electric field is applied, and an alignmentcontrol means disposed in the reflective display region has a planararea smaller than that of an alignment control means disposed in thetransmissive display region.

The liquid crystal display device having this configuration can also bea vertically-aligned transflective liquid crystal display device havinga multigap structure, and an electrode in a dot region includes aplurality of islands and a connecting portion for electricallyconnecting the islands, in a manner similar to that in the above liquidcrystal display device. In such a structure in which the electrode inthe dot region includes a plurality of islands, the tilting direction ofhomeotropic liquid crystal can be pointed toward the centers of theislands by oblique electric fields generated at the edges of the islandsby the application of a voltage. As a result, a plurality of liquidcrystal domains in a radially aligned state are formed in the planarregions of the islands. A uniform viewing-angle characteristic can beobtained in all directions because of the liquid crystal domains.Moreover, since the boundary between the liquid crystal domains is fixedat the boundary between the adjoining islands, unevenness like stainsdoes not appear when the panel is obliquely viewed, and superior displayis possible.

In this case, the alignment control device in the reflective displayregion is smaller than the alignment control device in the transmissivedisplay region. This can increase the aperture ratio of the reflectivedisplay region, and can perform a bright reflective display. Since thethickness of the liquid crystal layer is smaller in the reflectivedisplay region than in the transmissive display region in the dot regionof the multigap structure, the alignment control force of an obliqueelectric field generated at the edge of the island increases, and thealignment control force of the alignment control devices provided in theelectrode also increases. Therefore, even when the alignment controlmeans is made small, as in this case, an alignment control effectequivalent to that in the transmissive display region can be obtained,and a high-quality reflective display in which unevenness like stainsand image sticking are effectively prevented can be obtained.

Aspects of the invention can further provide a liquid crystal displaydevice including a device substrate having a pixel electrode and asignal line extending along an edge of the pixel electrode, a countersubstrate having a counter electrode on one side, and a liquid crystallayer disposed between the device substrate and the counter substrate,the substrates and the liquid crystal layer defining dot regions,wherein each of the dot regions includes a transmissive display regionfor transmissive display and a reflective display region for reflectivedisplay. The liquid crystal layer contains liquid crystal that isinitially aligned in the vertical direction, and the thickness thereofdiffers between the transmissive display region and the reflectivedisplay region, and wherein the distance between the pixel electrode andthe signal line in the reflective display region is shorter than in thetransmissive display region.

In this case, the positions of the pixel electrode and the signal lineare defined in a vertically-aligned transflective liquid crystal displaydevice having a multigap structure. The liquid crystal display devicehas signal lines electrically connected to pixel electrodes in dotregions to supply a voltage to the pixel electrodes. These signal linessometimes generate an oblique electric field therearound, depending onthe voltage supplied to the pixel electrodes. When such an obliqueelectric field acts on the liquid crystal in the display region, thealignment may be disturbed, and the display quality may be reduced.Therefore, it is preferable that a pixel electrode and a signal line bearranged at a certain distance from each other. However, when thedistance therebetween increases, the aperture ratio of the dot regiondecreases, and the display becomes dark. Accordingly, in this case, thedistance between the pixel electrode and the signal line is made longerin the transmissive display region than in the reflective display regionby utilizing the fact that the alignment control force of the edge ofthe electrode and the alignment control means is stronger in thereflective display region, in which the thickness of the liquid crystallayer is small, than in the transmissive display region in thevertically aligned liquid crystal display device having a multigapstructure. This can achieve a high-quality display in which unevennesslike stains and image sticking are prevented in the transmissive displayand the reflective display while minimizing the reduction in theaperture ratio of the dot region.

An exemplary electronic apparatus of the invention has theabove-described liquid crystal display device of the invention. Thisprovides an electronic apparatus having a display section that canperform display in both a transmission mode and a reflection mode, andachieves a high-contrast display with a wide viewing angle in both themodes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numerals reference like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary circuit diagram of a liquid crystal displaydevice according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing, in plan, an electrode structurein the first embodiment;

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are enlarged structural plan and structuralsectional views of a pixel region in the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a structural plan view of a pixel region in a liquid crystaldisplay device of a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a structural plan view of a pixel region in a liquid crystaldisplay device of a third embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a structural plan view of a pixel region in a liquid crystaldisplay device of a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a structural plan view of a pixel region in a liquid crystaldisplay device of a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a structural plan view of a pixel region in a liquid crystaldisplay device of a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a structural plan view of a pixel region in a liquid crystaldisplay device of a seventh embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a structural plan view of a pixel region in a liquid crystaldisplay device of an eighth embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a structural perspective view of an example of an electronicapparatus according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below withreference to the drawings. In the following drawings, layers and membersare shown on different scales in order to make the layers and membersmore recognizable.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary circuit diagram of a liquid crystal displaydevice according to a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is astructural plan view of one pixel region in the liquid crystal displaydevice, and FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are an enlarged structural plan view anda structural sectional view, respectively, of the pixel region. A liquidcrystal display device shown in these figures is an active-matrix colorliquid crystal display device using TFDs (thin film diodes)(two-terminal nonlinear elements) as switching elements. The liquidcrystal display device of this embodiment can include a liquid crystallayer made of a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropythat is initially aligned in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display device 100 of thisexemplary embodiment includes a scanning-signal driving circuit 110 anda data-signal driving circuit 120. The liquid crystal display device 100also can include signal lines, that is, a plurality of scanning lines 13and a plurality of data lines 9 crossing the scanning lines 13. Thescanning lines 13 are driven by the scanning-signal driving circuit 110,and the data lines 9 are driven by the data-signal driving circuit 120.In each pixel region 150, a TFD 40 and a liquid crystal display element160 (liquid crystal layer) are connected in serial between a scanningline 13 and a data line 9. While the TFD 40 is connected to the scanningline 13 and the liquid crystal display element 160 is connected to thedata line 9 in FIG. 1, conversely, the TFD 40 may be connected to thedata line 9 and the liquid crystal display element 160 may be connectedto the scanning line 13.

A description will now be given of the planar structure of electrodesprovided in the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment withreference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, in the liquid crystal displaydevice of this embodiment, pixel electrodes 31 that are rectangular inplan view and connected to the scanning lines 13 through the TFDs 40 arearranged in a matrix, and common electrodes 9 are arranged like strips(in stripes) in plan view to oppose the pixel electrodes 31 in thedirection perpendicular to the plane of the figure. The commonelectrodes 9 define the data lines shown in FIG. 1, and are formed likestripes to cross the scanning lines 13. In this embodiment, a regionhaving each pixel electrode 31 defines one dot region, and display canbe performed in each of the dot regions arranged in a matrix.

Each TFD 40 serves as a switching element for connecting a scanning line13 and a pixel electrode 31. For example, the TFD 40 has an MIMstructure including a first conductive film containing Ta as the maincomponent, an insulating film provided on the surface of the firstconductive film and containing Ta₂O₃ as the main component and a secondconductive film provided on the surface of the insulating film andcontaining Cr as the main component. The first conductive film of theTFD 40 is connected to the scanning line 13, and the second conductivefilm is connected to the pixel electrode 31.

The pixel structure of the liquid crystal display device 100 of thisexemplary embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3(a)and 3(b). FIG. 3(a) is a structural plan view of one pixel region in theliquid crystal display device 100, and FIG. 3(b) is a structuralsectional view, taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 3(a). The liquid crystaldisplay device 100 of this embodiment includes dot regions each having apixel electrode 31 inside an area surrounded by data lines 9, scanninglines 13, etc., as shown in FIG. 2. A color filter of one of the threeprimary colors is provided corresponding to one dot region, and threedot regions (D1, D2, and D3) constitute a pixel including color filters22R, 22G, and 22B of the three colors, as shown in FIG. 3(a).

A pixel electrode 31 includes three islands 31 a to 31 c, and connectingportions 31 d and 31 e for electrically connecting the adjoiningislands, as shown in FIG. 3(a). More specifically, the islands 31 a to31 c generally shaped like a regular octagon in plan view are arrangedin the extending direction of the scanning lines 13 along the side edgesof the dot region, and the connecting portions 31 d and 31 e extendsubstantially parallel to the scanning lines 13, respectively, betweenthe islands 31 a and 31 b and between the islands 31 b and 31 c. Theisland 31 a is electrically connected to a TFD 40.

The island 31 a is provided inside a part of each dot region in which areflective film 20 is provided, and the remaining islands 31 b and 31 care provided in the other part in which the reflective film 20 is notprovided.

The planar region of the island 31 a provided in the part having thereflective film 20 (and a part of the connecting portion 31 d) serves asa reflective display region R in the liquid crystal display device 100,and the planar regions of the islands 31 b and 31 c, a part of theconnecting portion 31 d, and the connecting portion 31 e constitute atransmissive display region T.

As shown in FIG. 3(b), in the liquid crystal display device 100 of thisembodiment, a liquid crystal layer 50 made of a liquid crystal materialthat is initially aligned in the vertical direction, that is, that has anegative dielectric anisotropy, is disposed between an upper substrate(device substrate) 25 and a lower substrate (counter substrate) 10disposed opposed thereto. A backlight (illumination device) 15 servingas a source of light for transmissive display is provided on the outerside of the lower substrate 10.

In this way, the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment is avertically aligned liquid crystal display device having the homeotropicliquid crystal layer 50, and a transflective liquid crystal displaydevice capable of reflective display and transmissive display.

In the lower substrate 10, a reflective film 20 made of a metal havinghigh reflectance, such as aluminum or silver, is partially provided onthe surface of a substrate body 10A made of a transmissive material,such as quartz or glass, with an insulating film 24 therebetween. Thereflective display region R is provided in a region in which thereflective film 20 is provided.

The insulating film 24 provided on the substrate body 10A has surfaceirregularities. In conformance with such irregularities, the surface ofthe reflective film 20 also has irregularities. Since reflective lightis scattered by such irregularities, mirror reflection is prevented, andhigh visibility is achieved.

A red color filter 22R is provided on the reflective film 20 andsubstrate body 10A in the dot region from the reflective display regionR to the transmissive display region T. In plan view, color filters 22R(red), 22G (green), and 22B (blue) of three colors are arranged, and thescanning lines 13 extend right above the boundaries between theadjoining color filters, as shown in FIG. 3(a).

An insulating film 26 can be selectively provided on the color filter22R above the reflective film 20. The insulating film 26 thus partiallyprovided in the dot region makes a difference in the thickness of theliquid crystal layer 50 between the reflective display region R and thetransmissive display region T. For example, the insulating film 26 ismade of a film of an organic material, such as acrylic resin, having athickness of approximately 0.5 μm to 2.5 μm, and defines a boundarysloping area N, which is formed of an inclined face and in which thethickness thereof continuously changes, near the boundary between thereflective display region R and the transmissive display region T. Thethickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 in the transmissive displayregion T is approximately 2 μm to 7 μm, and the thickness in thereflective display region R is almost half the thickness in thetransmissive display region T.

In this way, the insulating film 26 functions as a liquid-crystal-layerthickness adjusting layer whose thickness makes a difference in thethickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 between the reflective displayregion R and the transmissive display region T. In this embodiment, anedge of an upper flat surface of the insulating film 26 is substantiallyaligned with an edge of the island 31 a that constitutes the pixelelectrode 31 in the upper substrate 25, and the boundary sloping area Nformed by the insulating film 26 is disposed right below the connectingportion 31 d between the islands 31 a and 31 b.

A common electrode 9 made of a transparent conductive material, such asITO, is provided on the surface of the lower substrate 10 including thesurface of the insulating film 26. The common electrode 9 extends instripes in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in planview, and functions as an electrode common to a plurality of dot regionsarranged in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Thecommon electrode 9 is partially cut out to form apertures 9 a to 9 ccorresponding to each dot region. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the apertures 9a to 9 c are provided corresponding to the islands 31 a to 31 c of thepixel electrode 31, and are provided at almost the centers of the planarregions of the islands 31 a to 31 c.

Although not shown, a vertical alignment film composed of polyimide orthe like is provided to cover the common electrode 9. The verticalalignment film is an alignment film that allows liquid crystal moleculesto be aligned perpendicularly to the film surface. In this embodiment,it is preferable that the vertical alignment film be not subjected toalignment treatment, such as rubbing.

While the reflective film 20 and the common electrode 9 are separatelydisposed in this embodiment, a reflective film made of a metal materialmay be used as a part of a common electrode in the reflective displayregion R.

In the upper substrate 25, a pixel electrode 31 made of a transparentconductive material, such as ITO, and having a planar shape shown inFIG. 3(a) is provided on a substrate body 25A made of a transmissivematerial, such as glass or quartz, close to the liquid crystal layer 50.A TFD 40 and a scanning line 13 are provided corresponding to the pixelelectrode 31. Although not shown, a vertical alignment film composed ofpolyimide or the like is provided to cover the pixel electrode 31.

A circularly polarizing plate in which a retardation plate 18 and apolarizer 19 are stacked from the side of the substrate body 10A isprovided on the outer side of the lower substrate 10. A circularlypolarizing plate in which a retardation plate 16 and a polarizer 17 arestacked from the side of the substrate body 25A is provided on the outerside of the upper substrate 25. That is, in the liquid crystal displaydevice 100 of this exemplary embodiment, circularly polarized light iscaused to enter the liquid crystal layer 50 for display. Unlike the casein which linearly polarized light enters the liquid crystal layer 50,the transmittance inside the dot region is uniform, regardless of thealignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules when a voltage isapplied, and the aperture ratio of the dot region can be substantiallyincreased. Therefore, the display luminance of the liquid crystaldisplay device can be increased.

The above circularly polarizing plate may be a circularly polarizingplate including a combination of a polarizer and a quarter-waveretardation plate, a broad-band circularly polarizing plate including acombination of a polarizer, a half-wave retardation plate, and aquarter-wave retardation plate, or a circularly polarizing plate havinga viewing-angle compensating function obtained by combining a polarizer,a half-wave retardation plate, a quarter-wave retardation plate, and anegative C-plate. The term “C-plate” refers to a retardation platehaving an optical axis in the thickness direction.

In the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment having the aboveconfiguration, the pixel electrode 31 has a structure in which theislands 31 a to 31 c shaped like a regular octagon are electricallyconnected by the connecting portions 31 d and 31 e, and the apertures 9a to 9 c are provided in the common electrode 9 corresponding to theislands 31 a to 31 c. Therefore, the tilting direction of liquid crystalmolecules is properly controlled when an electric field is applied, anda display with a superior viewing-angle characteristic is possible. Thealignment control effect will be described below.

First, in a state in which an electric field is not applied between thecommon electrode 9 and the pixel electrode 31 (when a voltage is notapplied), liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 50 arealigned perpendicularly to the substrate surface. When a voltage isapplied between the electrodes 9 and 31, liquid crystal moleculesdisposed in the planar region of the island 31 a are tilted in adirection perpendicular in the planar direction to the edge of theisland 31 a (toward the planar center of the island 31 a) by an obliqueelectric field generated at the edge, and peripheral liquid crystalmolecules are tilted in the same direction to conform to the alignmentstate at the edge of the island 31 a. As a result, the liquid crystalmolecules in the planar region of the island 31 a are oriented towardthe center of the regularly octagonal island 31 a when the voltage isapplied.

In this embodiment, the aperture 9 a of a circular shape in plan view isprovided at almost the center of the planar region of the island 31 a.Therefore, an alignment control effect similar to that at the edge ofthe island 31 a is also caused on the side of the common electrode 9,and liquid crystal molecules are oriented radially in plan view aroundthe aperture 9 a.

In this way, in the liquid crystal display device 100 of this exemplaryembodiment, a liquid crystal domain, in which liquid crystal moleculesare oriented radially in plan view in the planar region of the island 31a, is produced by an oblique electric field generated at the peripheraledge of the island 31 a and around the aperture 9 a when a voltage isapplied. A liquid crystal domain in which molecules are orientedradially in plan view is also produced in the planar regions of theislands 31 b and 31 c by an alignment control effect similar to that inthe island 31 a.

In the liquid crystal display device 100 of this embodiment, by theabove effect, the liquid crystal domains in which molecules are orientedradially in plan view are arranged in the dot regions D1 to D3 when avoltage is applied, and a uniform viewing-angle characteristic can beobtained in all directions by the liquid crystal domains. Moreover,since disclination caused at the centers of the liquid crystal domainsis fixed at the islands 31 a to 31 c, unevenness like stains is notcaused when the panel is viewed from an oblique direction.

Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 100 of this embodiment canperform a high-quality display with an extremely wide viewing angle.

Since the alignment states of liquid crystal in the islands 31 a to 31 care controlled by the edges of the islands 31 a to 31 c and by theapertures 9 a to 9 c of the common electrode 9 provided corresponding tothe islands 31 a to 31 c, as described above, even when the planar areasof the islands 31 a to 31 c in the dot region are increased, thealignment states of the liquid crystal can be controlled properly. Morespecifically, according to this embodiment, the alignment can bestabilized even when the islands 31 a to 31 c are relatively large, thatis, have a diameter of approximately 40 μm to 50 μm.

In this embodiment, the planar shape of the islands 31 a to 31 c isregularly octagonal, however it should be understood that it is notlimited to such a shape, and may be, for example, any of a circularshape, an elliptical shape, and a polygonal shape. That is, the islands31 a to 31 c may have any planar shape that can form a liquid crystaldomain in the planar region in which the liquid crystal molecules aresubstantially radially oriented when a voltage is applied.

It is preferable that the connecting portions 31 d and 31 e be thinnerthan the islands 31 a to 31 c. Since the islands 31 a to 31 c have afunction of controlling the tilting direction of the liquid crystalmolecules by oblique electric fields generated at the edges thereof, inorder to stably obtain such an alignment control force, it is preferablethat the ratio of the edges surrounding the planar centers of theislands be increased by reducing the widths of the connecting portions31 d and 31 e. Such a structure also can increase the response speed ofthe liquid crystal.

In the liquid crystal display device 100 of this embodiment, thethickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 in the reflective displayregion R can be made almost half the thickness in the transmissivedisplay region T by the insulating film 26 provided in the reflectivedisplay region R. Therefore, the retardation of the liquid crystal layerin the reflective display region R can be made substantially equal tothe retardation of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive displayregion T. Consequently, the same electrooptic characteristic can beensured in both the regions, and the display contrast can be enhanced.

In addition, by adopting the above multigap structure, the boundarysloping area N provided in the dot region is disposed right below theconnecting portion 31 d extending between the island 31 a in thereflective display region R and the island 31 b in the transmissivedisplay region T, and therefore, the quality can be effectivelyprevented from being reduced. In other words, when an electrode isprovided in the boundary sloping area N, liquid crystal molecules arealigned at an angle to the substrate surface, and therefore, a weakalignment control force acts on the liquid crystal molecules when avoltage is applied. If the pixel structure is designed in disregard ofthe weak alignment control force, the alignment of the liquid crystalmay be disturbed. Jisaki (introduced above) controlled the alignment bypositively utilizing the weak alignment control force. In the liquidcrystal display device of this embodiment, the electrode on the boundarysloping area N is minimized so that the weak alignment control force isremoved, and conversely, a strong alignment control force generated bythe oblique electric fields at the edges of the islands 31 a and 31 bbecomes dominant. As a result, a proper display is possible in both thereflective display region R and the transmissive display region T.

In this way, in the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment,the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquidcrystal layer in a vertical alignment mode can be properly controlled bythe shape of the pixel electrode 31 in the upper substrate 25 and theapertures 9 a to 9 c provided in the common electrode 9, and the displayquality can be effectively prevented from being reduced by the boundarysloping area N formed in the multigap structure. Accordingly, problemsin display quality, such as unevenness like stains and image sticking,are not caused, and high-contrast reflective and transmissive displaywith a wide viewing angle can be achieved.

While the three islands 31 a to 31 c are linearly arranged in each ofthe dot regions D1 to D3 in the above embodiment, when the dot pitch isincreased, it is sometimes better to increase the number of islands thatconstitute the pixel electrode 31. In this case, in the liquid crystaldisplay device of this embodiment, each of the reflective display regionand the transmissive display region is defined by an integral number ofisland, and the boundary sloping area N on the boundary between theregions that are different in the thickness of the liquid crystal layeris provided between the islands. For example, in a case in which 6×2(twelve) islands are arranged in a dot region, six of the islands areallocated to the reflective display region, and the remaining sixislands are allocated to the transmissive display region. A regionbetween the islands disposed in the transmissive display region and theislands disposed in the transmissive display region is disposed rightabove the boundary sloping area N.

While the substantially circular apertures 9 a to 9 c are provided asthe alignment control device in the common electrode 9 in the aboveembodiment, dielectric protrusions may be provided as the alignmentcontrol device on the common electrode 9. In this case, an effect ofcontrolling the tilting direction of liquid crystal molecules during thevoltage application can be obtained, although the effect is differentfrom the effect of the apertures 9 a to 9 c. Alternatively, both theapertures and the dielectric protrusions may be provided in the dotregion. When dielectric protrusions have the same planar area as that ofapertures, they have, in general, an alignment control force strongerthan that of the apertures. Therefore, for example, it is preferablethat apertures be provided in the reflective display region R in whichthe liquid crystal layer is thin, and dielectric protrusions be providedin the transmissive display region T in which the liquid crystal layeris thick. Dielectric protrusions may be provided inside the apertures 9a to 9 c.

Next, a liquid crystal display device of a second exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to the drawing. FIG. 4 is a viewshowing the planar structure of a pixel region in the liquid crystaldisplay device of this embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 3(a) for thefirst embodiment. A liquid crystal display device 200 of this embodimentis a multigap transflective vertically aligned liquid crystal displaydevice having a configuration similar to that of the liquid crystaldisplay device 100 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), except in pixelelectrodes 32 having a different planar shape. Therefore, in FIG. 4,components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 3(a)and 3(b) are considered as similar components, and a description thereofis omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the liquid crystal display device 200 of thisembodiment, a pixel electrode 32 that is different in planar shape fromthat in the liquid crystal display device 100 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and3(b) is provided in each of dot regions D1 to D3.

The pixel electrode 32 is made of a transparent conductive material,such as ITO, and includes, in the dot region, islands 32 a to 32 carranged in the extending direction of a scanning line 13 and shapedlike a regular octagon in plan view, and connecting portions 32 d and 32e extending in the direction of the scanning line 13 to electricallyconnect the islands 32 a to 32 c. The connecting portions 32 d and 32 econnect the corners of the islands 32 a to 32 c shaped like a regularoctagon. A boundary sloping area N is disposed right below theconnecting portion 32 d that connects the island 32 a provided in areflective display region R and the island 32 b provided in atransmissive display region T.

In the liquid crystal display device 200 of this exemplary embodimenthaving the above configuration, the islands 32 a to 32 c areelectrically connected by the connecting portions 32 d and 32 eextending from the corners of the islands, and the connecting portion 32d is disposed right above the boundary sloping area N. Therefore,display quality can be prevented from being reduced by the alignmenterror between substrates 10 and 25 during panel assembly, and ease ofproduction is increased. In other words, the connecting portion 32 d isdesigned to be placed above the boundary sloping area N, and displayquality similar to that in the above first embodiment is ensured whenthe panel assembly is performed as designed. However, for example, whenthe substrate 10 and the substrate 25 are improperly aligned with eachother in the lateral direction in the figure during panel assembly, andthe island 32 a or 32 b overlaps with the boundary sloping area N, sincethe corner of the regular octagon overlaps with the boundary slopingarea N in the liquid crystal display device 200, an overlapping portionbetween the boundary sloping area N and the island can be reduced, anddisturbance of the alignment in the islands 32 a and 32 b due to theboundary sloping area N can be reduced, compared with the liquid crystaldisplay device 100 of the first exemplary embodiment.

In the liquid crystal display device 200 of this embodiment, even whenalignment disturbance or disclination occurs at the connections betweenthe islands 32 a to 32 c and the connecting portions 32 d and 32 e, theinfluence of such alignment disturbance on the display quality can bereduced. That is, since the edges of the islands 32 a and 32 b close tothe connecting portion 32 d are tapered toward the connecting portion 32d, liquid crystal molecules are oriented while tilting from both sidestoward lines, which link the corners and apertures 9 a and 9 b, becauseof an alignment control force of oblique electric fields during thevoltage application. Therefore, even when the disclination occurs nearthe connections between the connecting portion 32 d and the islands 32 aand 32 b, it is smoothly shifted from the islands 32 a and 32 b towardthe connecting portion 32 d or the apertures 9 a and 9 b because of theabove-described alignment effect, and proper alignment can be maintainedin the islands 32 a and 32 b.

While the connecting portions 32 d and 32 d extend from the corners ofthe islands 32 a to 32 c shaped like a polygon in plan view in thisembodiment, when islands have an arbitrary shape other than the polygonin plan view, electrodes are also shaped in a substantially tapered formfrom the islands toward the connecting portions in the area in which theislands and the connecting portions are connected. In this case, evenwhen positioning error is caused during the panel assembly process,overlapping between the planar area of the island and the boundarysloping area N can be minimized, and the display quality can beeffectively prevented from being reduced by the boundary sloping area N.If disclination occurs, it can be shifted to the connecting portion orthe aperture by the planar shape of the islands, and the influence onthe display can be reduced.

Next, a liquid crystal display device of a third exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to the drawing. FIG. 5 is a viewshowing the planar structure of a pixel region in the liquid crystaldisplay device of this embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 3(a) for thefirst embodiment. A liquid crystal display device 300 of this embodimentis a multigap transflective vertically aligned liquid crystal displaydevice having a configuration similar to that of the liquid crystaldisplay device 100 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), mainly except in anarea in which a reflective film for reflective display is provided.Therefore, in FIG. 5, components denoted by the same reference numeralsas those in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are considered as similar components,and a description thereof is omitted.

In the liquid crystal display device 300 of this embodiment, areflective film 220 having a planar shape different from that in theliquid crystal display device 100 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) isprovided in each of dot regions D1 to D3, as shown in FIG. 5.

The reflective film 220 can be made of a metal film of aluminum, silver,or the like, and is provided in the dot region except for islands 31 band 31 c that define a transmissive display region T, of islands 31 a to31 c and connecting portions 31 d and 31 e that constitute a pixelelectrode 31. A portion of the reflective film 220 that is placed on theisland 31 a is not shown for easy view of the figure. Since thereflective film 220 can function as a light shielding film by thusextending in the dot region outside the transmissive display region T,the contrast of transmissive display can be increased.

Since the liquid crystal display device of the invention is a verticallyaligned liquid crystal display device, in a case in which black displayis performed in a state in which a voltage is not applied (normallyblack), liquid crystal molecules are kept aligned perpendicularly to thesubstrates, regardless of the voltage application state, in an area inwhich electrodes opposing with a liquid crystal layer therebetween arenot provided. Therefore, such a reflective film 220 functioning as alight shielding film is actually unnecessary.

However, in actuality, the liquid crystal molecules tilt in the boundarysloping area N, and the liquid crystal alignment is disturbed by obliqueelectric fields at the edges of the islands 31 a to 31 c and theaccumulation of charges in the area having no electrode, which may causelight leakage. Accordingly, by providing the reflecting film 220functioning as a light shielding film in a non-display region, as inthis embodiment, such light leakage can be prevented, and ahigh-contrast transmissive display can be performed.

Since an insulating film 24 for giving irregularities to the reflectivefilm 220 is not provided outside the planar region of the island 31 a(that is, the reflective display region R), even when external light isreflected by the reflective film 220 provided outside the islands 31 ato 31 c (that is, a non-display area in the dot region), the light isnot reflected toward an observer. Therefore, the light has littleinfluence on the display quality.

While color filters 22B, 22G, and 22R are provided, respectively, in thedot regions D1 to D3 in this embodiment, a color filter of a color otherthan the display colors in the dot regions may be placed outside theplanar regions of the islands 31 in the area in which the reflectivefilm 220 is provided (that is, the non-display areas in the dotregions). In such a structure, light incident on the non-display regionsof the dot regions D1 to D3 is absorbed by the superimposed colorfilter, and is also absorbed after being reflected by the reflectivefilm 220. Therefore, such light incident on the non-display regionsrarely returns to the incident side, and a higher-contrast reflectivedisplay can be performed. Since such a color filter can be superimposedwith comparative ease when the color filters 22R, 22G, and 22B arepatterned in the dot regions, problems in the production process, suchas an increase of the number of man hours, will hardly occur.

While the reflective film 220 is also provided in the planar regions ofthe connecting portions 31 d and 31 e in this embodiment, it may not beprovided in the connecting portions 31 d and 31 e. However, when theconnecting portion 31 d is shielded by the reflective film 220, asection subjected to display failure due to alignment disturbance at theconnecting portion 31 d placed above the boundary sloping area N can beshielded, a high-contrast display is possible, and the reflective film220 can be patterned easily.

Next, a liquid crystal display device of a fourth exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to the drawing. FIG. 6 is a viewshowing the planar structure of a pixel region in the liquid crystaldisplay device of this embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 3(a) for thefirst embodiment. A liquid crystal display device 400 of this embodimentis a multigap vertically-aligned transflective liquid crystal displaydevice having a configuration similar to that of the liquid crystaldisplay device 100 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), except in pixelelectrodes 33 having a different planar shape. Therefore, in FIG. 6,components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 areconsidered as similar components, and a description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the liquid crystal display device 400 of thisembodiment, pixel electrodes 33 having a planar shape different fromthat in the liquid crystal display device 100 shown in FIG. 3(a) areprovided in dot regions D1 to D3.

Each pixel electrode 33 is made of a transparent conductive material,such as ITO, and includes, in a dot region, islands 33 a to 33 carranged in the extending direction of a scanning line 13 and shapedlike an octagon in plan view, and connecting portions 33 d and 33 eextending in the direction of the scanning line 13 to electricallyconnect the islands 33 a to 33 c. The connecting portions 33 d and 33 eextend from the adjoining edges of the octagonal islands 33 a to 33 c,thereby connecting the islands 33 a to 33 c. A boundary sloping area Nis disposed right below the connecting portion 33 d that connects theisland 33 a disposed in a reflective display region R and the island 33b disposed in a transmissive display region T.

As shown in FIG. 6, the island 33 a that defines the reflective displayregion R has a planar area larger than those of the islands 33 b and 33c arranged to define the transmissive display region T. Apertures 9 a to9 c provided in a common electrode 9 corresponding to the islands 33 ato 33 c are equal in planar shape and size.

In a transflective liquid crystal display device, required displayproperties sometime vary according to application of an electronicapparatus in which the liquid crystal display device is mounted. In sucha case, the display areas of the reflective display region R and thetransmissive display region T can be adjusted and the display propertiesof reflective display and transmissive display can be adjusted by makingthe island 33 a in the reflective display region R relatively large, asin the liquid crystal display device 400 of this embodiment.

In the reflective display region R, the thickness of a liquid crystallayer 50 is relatively small because of the multigap structure, andtherefore, an alignment control force at the edge of the island 33 a isstronger than in the islands 33 b and 33 c in the transmissive displayregion T. Accordingly, even when the planar area of the island 33 a isrelatively large, the alignment state of the liquid crystal can beproperly controlled by the alignment control effect at the edge of theisland. Moreover, since the response of the liquid crystal moleculeswill not become slower than in the transmissive display region T,high-quality display can be performed without causing unevenness likestains and image sticking.

Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 400 of this embodiment canadjust reflective display and transmissive display according to theapplication without reducing the display quality, and is generallyapplicable as a display in various electronic apparatuses.

Next, a liquid crystal display device of a fifth exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to the drawing. FIG. 7 is a viewshowing the planar structure of a pixel region in the liquid crystaldisplay device of this embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 3(a) for thefirst embodiment. A liquid crystal display device 500 of this embodimentis a multigap vertically-aligned transflective liquid crystal displaydevice having a configuration similar to that of the liquid crystaldisplay device 100 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), except in the structureof a color filter provided in each dot region. Therefore, in FIG. 7,components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 3(a)and 3(b) are considered as similar components, and a description thereofis omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, color filters 222B, 222G, and 222R having a planarshape different from that in the liquid crystal display device 100 shownin FIG. 3(a) are provided, respectively, in dot regions D1 to D3 in theliquid crystal display device 500 of this embodiment. In order for thefigure to be easily viewed, a reflective films 20 in a reflectivedisplay region R (a planar region of an island 31 a) and irregularitiesprovided on the reflective film 20 in the same region are not shown.

The color filters 222R, 222G, and 222B respectively have openings 22 r,22 g, and 22 b shaped like a circle in plan view and disposed in theplanar regions of islands 31 a in pixel electrodes 31. These openings 22r, 22 g, and 22 b are concentric with apertures 9 a provided in a commonelectrode 9.

In the liquid crystal display device 500 having the above-describedconfiguration, portions having no color filter (openings 22 r, 22 g, and22 b) are provided in the reflective display regions R. Consequently, itis possible to establish harmony of the chromaticity with thetransmissive display region T, to increase the brightness of thereflective display, and to perform both the reflective display andtransmissive display of high quality in which the luminance andchromaticity are well-balanced.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rims of the openings 22 r, 22 g, and 22 b areseparate from the edges of the islands 31 a, and also from boundarysloping areas N. Since alignment disturbance is prone to occur at theedges of the islands 31 a and in the boundary sloping areas N because ofan oblique electric field generated by the application of a voltage, adecrease in display contrast and image sticking resulting from thealignment disturbance are made less visible by providing the colorfilters 222R, 222G, and 222B in those portions. Consequently, thebrightness in the reflective display region R can be increased without asubstantial reduction in display quality.

As shown in FIG. 7, the openings 22 r, 22 g, and 22 b have differentplanar areas in the color filters 222R, 222G, and 222B. Morespecifically, the openings 22 r, 22 g, and 22 b have different sizescorresponding to the luminosities for the display colors. The opening 22g of the green color filter 222G is the largest, and the opening 22 b ofthe blue color filter 222B is the smallest. By thus making the sizes ofthe openings 22 r, 22 g, and 22 b different corresponding to the colors,the color balance of the reflective display can be easily adjustedindependently of the transmissive display, and the display quality canbe improved further.

While the planar shape of the openings 22 r, 22 g, and 22 b of the colorfilters is circular in this embodiment, it should be understood that itis not limited to the circular shape. For example, a ring-shaped openingmay be provided so that a color filter remains corresponding to theaperture 9 a, and the planar shape may be regularly octagonal inconformity to the outline of the island 31 a.

Next, a liquid crystal display device of a sixth exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to the drawing. FIG. 8 is a viewshowing the planar structure of a pixel region in the liquid crystaldisplay device of this embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 3(a) for thefirst embodiment. A liquid crystal display device 600 of this embodimentis a multigap vertically-aligned transflective liquid crystal displaydevice having a configuration similar to that of the liquid crystaldisplay device 100 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), except in the structureof apertures provided in a common electrode 9 to define alignmentcontrol means. Therefore, in FIG. 8, components denoted by the samereference numerals as those in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are considered assimilar components, and a description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the liquid crystal display device 600 of thisembodiment, apertures 19 a having a size different from that in theliquid crystal display device 100 shown in FIG. 3(a) are provided in thecommon electrode 9. While the apertures 19 a, 9 b, and 9 c are formed bycutting circles from the common electrodes 9 corresponding to almost thecenters of islands 31 a to 31 c, protrusions made of a dielectricmaterial may be provided at the same positions.

The islands 31 a to 31 c that define each pixel electrode 31 aresubstantially equal in size and shape between a reflective displayregion R and a transmissive display region T.

As described in the fourth embodiment, the liquid crystal display deviceof the invention has a multigap structure, and the thickness of a liquidcrystal layer 50 in the reflective display region R is smaller than inthe transmissive display region T. Therefore, an alignment control forceof an oblique electric field for the liquid crystal in the reflectivedisplay region R is stronger than in the transmissive display region T.As long as the apertures provided in the common electrode 9 have thesame size, the aperture in the reflective display region R have analignment control force stronger than at the apertures 9 b and 9 c inthe transmissive display region T. Accordingly, in this embodiment, theapertures 19 a smaller than the apertures 9 b and 9 c in thetransmissive display region T are provided in the reflective displayregion R, thereby increasing the aperture ratio of the reflectivedisplay region R and achieving a bright reflective display whileensuring an alignment control force equivalent to that in thetransmissive display region T.

This also applies to a case in which the above-described dielectricprotrusions are used as the alignment control means, instead of theapertures 19 a, 9 b, and 9 c. In this case, the size and/or height ofdielectric protrusions provided in the reflective display region R isset to be smaller than the size and/or height of dielectric protrusionsprovided in the transmissive display region T.

Next, a liquid crystal display device of a seventh exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to the drawing. FIG. 9 is a viewshowing the planar structure of a pixel region in the liquid crystaldisplay device of this embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 3(a) for thefirst embodiment. A liquid crystal display device 700 of this embodimentis a multigap vertically-aligned transflective liquid crystal displaydevice having a configuration similar to that of the liquid crystaldisplay device 100 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), except in pixelelectrodes 34 having a different planar shape. Therefore, in FIG. 9,components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 3(a)and 3(b) are considered as similar components, and a description thereofis omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the liquid crystal display device 700 of thisembodiment, pixel electrodes 34 having a planar shape different fromthat in the liquid crystal display device 100 shown in FIG. 3(a) areprovided in dot regions D1 to D3.

Each pixel electrode 34 is made of a transparent conductive materialsuch as ITO, and includes, in a dot region, islands 34 a to 34 carranged in the extending directions of a scanning line 13 and shapedlike an octagon in plan view, and connecting portions 34 d and 34 eextending in the direction of the scanning line 13 to electricallyconnect the islands 34 a to 34 c. The connecting portions 34 d and 34 eextend from the adjoining edges of the octagonal islands 34 a to 34 c,thereby connecting the islands 34 a to 34 c. A boundary sloping area Nis disposed right below the connecting portion 34 d that connects theisland 34 a disposed in a reflective display region R and the island 34b disposed in a transmissive display region T.

The liquid crystal display device 700 of this embodiment ischaracterized in that the planar distance between a scanning line 13extending along the long side of each of the dot regions D1 to D3, andthe islands 34 a to 34 c differs between the reflective display region Rand the transmissive display region T. That is, the distance dr betweenthe island 34 a in the reflective display region R and the scanning line13 is shorter than the distance dt between the islands 34 b and 34 c inthe transmissive display region T and the scanning line 13.

An oblique electric field is generated near a scanning line 13 (signalline) extending along the side of each of the dot regions D1 to D3,depending on the potential, and this sometimes disturbs the tiltingdirection of the vertically aligned liquid crystal. Therefore, it ispreferable that the islands 34 a to 34 c in the pixel electrode 34 bedisposed at a certain distance from the scanning line 13. However, whenthe distance between the scanning line 13 and the pixel electrode 34 isincreased, the aperture ratio of the dot regions D1 to D3 decreases, andthe display becomes dark.

Accordingly, in this exemplary embodiment, as described in the abovefourth embodiment, the distance between the islands 34 b and 34 c andthe scanning line 13 is long in the transmissive display region T inwhich the alignment control force at the edges of the islands isrelatively weak because of a thick liquid crystal layer, and conversely,the distance between the island 34 a and the scanning line 13 is smallin the reflective display region R in which the liquid crystal layer isthin and an alignment control force by an oblique electric fieldgenerated at the edge of the island 34 a is strong.

In this case, the distance between the scanning line and the island canbe optimized in both the reflective region R and the transmissive regionT, and the aperture ratio of the dot regions can be maximized whilereducing the influence of the oblique electric field at the scanningline 13 on the display. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 700of this embodiment makes it possible to perform a high-quality, brightdisplay without causing unevenness like stains and image sticking.

While the pixel-switching elements are TFDs in this embodiment, in acase in which the above-described configuration is applied to a liquidcrystal display device having TFTs (thin-film transistors) as thepixel-switching elements, the islands 34 b and 34 c in the transmissivedisplay region T are disposed at a longer distance from both a scanningline and a data line crossing each other than the island 34 a in thereflective display region R.

While the pixel electrode 34 has a planar shape in which a plurality ofislands 34 a to 34 c are connected by the connecting portions 34 d and34 e in this embodiment, the positional relationship between the pixelelectrode and the signal line, which characterizes this embodiment,provides the advantages, regardless of the shape of the pixel electrode.That is, in a liquid crystal display device having a substantiallyrectangular pixel electrode in plan view, the planar shape of the pixelelectrode and the routing manner of the signal line (scanning line 13)are changed so that the planar distance between the pixel electrode inthe transmissive display region T and the signal line is longer than thedistance between the pixel electrode and the signal line in thereflective display region R. This also provides the operationaladvantages of the above embodiment, and achieves a high-quality display,in which unevenness like stains and a reduction in brightness are notcaused by alignment disturbance, in both the reflective display regionand the transmissive display region.

Next, a liquid crystal display device of an eighth exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to the drawing. FIG. 10 is a viewshowing the planar structure of a pixel region in the liquid crystaldisplay device of this embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 3(a) for thefirst embodiment. A liquid crystal display device 800 of this embodimentis a multigap transflective vertically aligned liquid crystal displaydevice having a configuration similar to that of the liquid crystaldisplay device 100 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), except in the extendingdirections of a common electrode 9 and a scanning line 13 with respectto a pixel electrode. Therefore, in FIG. 10, components denoted by thesame reference numerals as those in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are consideredas similar components, and a description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, each of dot regions D1 to D3 in the liquid crystaldisplay device 800 of this embodiment has a pixel electrode 31 includinga plurality of islands 31 a to 31 c arranged in the direction of thelong side of the dot region, and connecting portions 31 d and 31 e forconnecting the islands. A TFD 40 connected to a scanning line 130extending in the direction of the short side of the dot region (up-downdirection in the figure) is connected to the pixel electrode 31. Commonelectrodes 9 extending in the direction of the long sides of the dotregions D1 to D3 are arranged in stripes in plan view. Each commonelectrode 9 has apertures 9 a to 9 c, and the apertures 9 a to 9 c arepositioned corresponding to the planar centers of the islands 31 a to 31c in the pixel electrode 31.

In the liquid crystal display device 800 having the above configuration,since the scanning line 13 is disposed along the short sides of the dotregions D1 to D3, the areas in which oblique electric fields aregenerated near the scanning line 13 can be made narrower than the dotregions D1 to D3. Therefore, even when a sufficiently long distance isformed between the scanning line 13 and the islands 31 a and 31 cadjacent to the scanning line 13, the aperture ratios of the dot regionsD1 to D3 are not substantially reduced, and can be made high in both thereflective display region R and the transmissive display region T.Accordingly, the liquid crystal display device 800 of this embodimentmakes it possible to prevent unevenness like stains, image sticking, andthe like resulting from orientation disturbance due to the scanning line13, and to achieve a bright display.

It should be understood that the technical scope of the invention is notlimited to the above-described embodiments, and various modificationsare possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the insulating film 26 for the multigap structure isprovided in the lower substrate 10 in the above embodiments, it may beprovided on the side of the upper substrate 25 close to the liquidcrystal layer 50. Furthermore, insulating films may be provided atopposing positions in the lower substrate 10 and the upper substrate 25in order to adjust the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in thereflective display region.

While the islands 31 a to 31 c are electrically connected to the pixelelectrodes 31 of the upper substrate 25 in the above embodiments, such astructure may be applied to the common electrodes 9. In this case, acommon electrode in each dot region includes a plurality of islandselectrically connected to one another, and the islands are electricallyconnected over a plurality of dot regions.

In the liquid crystal display devices of the above embodiments, theliquid crystal layer 50 may be composed of chiral-doped homeotropicliquid crystal. In this case, by the application of a voltage, liquidcrystal domains, in which liquid crystal molecules are oriented in aradial and spiral form in plan view around the apertures 9 a to 9 c, areformed in the planar regions of the islands 31 a to 31 c. By formingsuch liquid crystal domains in which the liquid crystal molecules arespirally oriented, even when display is performed by causing linearlypolarized light to enter the liquid crystal layer 50, the luminancerarely varies in the dot regions, and a bright display can be performed.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example of an electronic apparatusaccording to the invention. A portable telephone 1300 shown in thisfigure includes a display device of the invention as a small display1301, and also includes a plurality of control buttons 1302, an earpiece1303, and a mouthpiece 1304.

The display devices of the above embodiments are suitably used as imagedisplay means not only in the above portable telephone, but also in, forexample, an electronic book, a personal computer, a digital stillcamera, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder or monitor-view videotape recorder, a car navigation system, a pager, an electronicpocketbook, an electronic desktop calculator, a word processor, aworkstation, a picture telephone, a POS terminal, and a device having atouch panel. In any of the electronic apparatuses, bright, high-contrasttransmissive/reflective display is possible with a wide viewing angle.

1. A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a first substrate; asecond substrate; a liquid crystal layer that is disposed between thefirst and second substrates and that contains liquid crystal that has anegative anisotropy; a dot region including a transmissive displayregion and a reflective display region; a film in between the firstsubstrate and the liquid crystal layer, the film making the liquidcrystal layer thinner in the reflective display region than in thetransmissive display region; an electrode located in between the secondsubstrate and the liquid crystal layer, the electrode including withinthe dot region a first electrode island, a second electrode island, anda connecting portion, the first electrode island being located in thetransmissive display region, the second electrode island being locatedin the reflective display region, the connecting portion electricallyconnecting the first and second electrode islands together; a firstalignment control device located within a region of the first electrodeisland in plan view, the first alignment control device controllingalignment of the liquid crystal when an electric voltage is applied tothe liquid crystal layer via the electrode; and a second alignmentcontrol device located within a region of the second electrode island inplan view, the second alignment control device controlling alignment ofthe liquid crystal when an electric voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer via the electrode, the second alignment control devicehaving a smaller two-dimensional area in plan view than atwo-dimensional area in plan view of the first alignment control device.2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, the first andsecond alignment control devices being located at a substantial centerof the first and second electrode islands, respectively.
 3. The liquidcrystal display device according to claim 1, further comprising acounter electrode located in between the first substrate and the liquidcrystal layer, the first and second alignment control devices beingdisposed within openings in the counter electrode.
 4. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 1, further comprising a counterelectrode located in between the first substrate and the liquid crystallayer, the first and second alignment control devices each being aprotrusion formed from a dielectric material disposed on the counterelectrode.
 5. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1,the first and second electrode islands each being a substantiallycircular or polygonal shape in plan view.
 6. The liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 1, the first and second electrode islands eachbeing narrower where connected with the connecting portion than at aportion thereof remote from the connecting portion.
 7. The liquidcrystal display device according to claim 1, the connecting portionconnecting to a flat or protruding portion of at least one of the firstand second electrode islands.
 8. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a reflective film located inthe reflective display region of the dot, the reflective film coveringregions of the dot other than the transmissive display region of thedot.
 9. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a switching element electrically connected to the electrode;and a reflective film located in the reflective display region of thedot and extending to a region of the dot where the switching element isformed.
 10. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1,further comprising: a reflective film located in the reflective displayregion of the dot; and a light scattering device disposed between thereflective film and the liquid crystal layer, the light scatteringdevice scattering light when the light is reflected by the reflectivefilm, the light scattering device being located within a region of thesecond electrode island in plan view.